
Latency is also measured while the upload test is in progress to see how it is affected by upload activity on your network, like someone on your home network uploading a year’s worth of photos. Latency is measured while the download test is in progress to see how it is affected by download activity on your network, like a household member downloading a large game while you’re trying to work. This test at the beginning of your Speedtest measures the response of a request on your network as if it is not in use. The company now carries out three separate pings, giving latency figures for each: The app has always measured this, but the number could be misleading because latency can increase in line with your internet load. This is a measure of how long it takes a server to respond to your request in the first place.

More realistic latencyĪlthough download and upload speeds are of course the main thing people like to measure, there’s one other important number that can have a big impact on your experience: latency. Slide down from the top to switch between Best and Most Common speeds. Carriers love to quote their fastest speeds, even if those are only available in a few small patches here and there. You can also see the difference between theory and practice. Slide that up to change to a different carrier to see how their coverage compares. To use it, tap the Maps tab and you’ll see one of the carriers at the bottom.


